Mother of toddler. Magazine Editor. Once and future Glamazon.

January 28, 2010

The Mandatory Margarita Club Strikes Again: Adventures In Boldness and Boots

"I've been with the wrong woman for the right shoes." -- Terry the Waiter, Cocina Superior

I'm a lucky member of the Mandatory Margarita (Book) Club, a group of women that get together whenever margaritas are necessary. (They actually deserve a much longer post.) In short: we meet at a Mexican restaurant and share the details of our lives: jobs, relationships, travels, children, recent clothing purchases.

Last night, over crawfish quesadillas and margaritas, K. said that she had found the perfect pair of Frye boots, gorgeous black leather numbers on sale at a certain store right across from Cocina Superior. Sadly, the shoes, on sale at a major discount during a rare sale at this high-end store, weren't in stock in her size.

They were an 8. My size (well in boots at least).

This is how you know true friends: They encourage you -- no, URGE you, to put down the cheese dip and walk across the street to the store during dinner. I did. And I fell hard for these boots, timeless little lovers made out of the most supple leather. I held them in my hands and waited for a salesperson. And waited.

It's not unlike this store to ignore customers -- that's actually sort of their M/O and they seem to pride themselves as having a reputation as one of the snootiest shops in Birmingham. So much so that I typically avoid going in there. Don't want my business? Fine with me. So I walked out, returning empty handed to my friends.

Upon hearing what happened, they were aghast. And Anne, who I have only come to know through the Mandatory Margarita Club, proceeded to get up from her dinner, gently grab my arm and march me back over to the store.

Anne: "We are just going to go in there and tell them that what they did was unacceptable!"

Erin: "Um, can we just play it cool, just be casual about it," as we walked into the shop.

Anne: (To the man at the Chanel Counter). "Excuse me, is there someone working in shoes? Because my friend waited here for 10 minutes without being helped."

Erin: Turns red.

Even when the salesperson came out, she seemed miffed to have to pull the shoes. But I didn't care -- they were fantastic, and they fit like a glove. We were meant to be. And when she said, "you're not in our system, are you?" I said that I most certainly was.

When Anne and I returned to the restaurant, boots in hands, all the girls at the table wanted to see them. We even passed them around to our waiter Terry, who then gave us that great quote.

Kitsch, Roadside Attractions and Malls

Garage Sale AmericaThe companion website to Bruce Littlefield's brilliant book about the magic of garage sales.

Bureau of CommunicationWacky pre-worded communcations for every occasion, including "Happy Divorce" and "Grievance Letter" with Ad-Lib type room for your own special personalizations.

Jancee Dunn BlogPop culture/rock critic wrote a great memoir about being a writer for "Rolling Stone" and VJ for MTV. Most importantly, she hits the 70s and 80s right on the head, particularly with her descriptions of JcPenny's, where her father spent his career. Her blog has great photos from 70s Penny's catalogs, as well as links to her essays, etc.

Disco MuseumBrilliant. Check out the entry on Paul Jabara, a fairly unknown singer songwriter who wrote for Donna Summer and more. He was also the person who created the red ribbon to bring awareness to HIV.

Roadside ArchitectureThe author spends much of her time traveling across the U.S. taking photos of giant faux food displays, neon signs, fairytale villages ala "Rock City," old diners and malls and pet cemetaries. Nothing short of genius and addictive.

Bad FadsAfter buying a squishy porcupine type toy for Shane and I -- I mean Nate and I -- to play with, I remembered the wonderful Koosh Ball of the late 80s. Shane didn't remember this, so I Googled the term and came up with this great page -- the Museum of Bad Fads. Excited to see that there is a reference to Sea Monkeys, my personal favorite. Though they are not a "fad" -- they are a lifestyle!

Moms RisingThis site advocates for moms to decide how they want to raise their kids -- whether it be to work outside the home or to be a SAHM. Most of all, it's about fair, equitable conditions in which one becomes a mom and the chance to raise healthy kids.

Mojo MomA site that helps moms reflect on the fact that they are actually people, not just baby-making beings.